Any patient who has undergone open heart surgery at the Montreal Heart Institute since 2012 could be at a risk of an infection, the heart institute warned Monday.
In a news release, the institute said there was a low risk of infection associated with certain heater-cooler systems used during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.
Patients who are at risk are currently being advised.
"Although the potential for infection is low (0.1% to 1% according to the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)), our main priority is the well-being and safety of our patients. Therefore, as a pre-emptive measure, we wish to get in touch with our patients in order to monitor their medical condition as adequately as possible," said MHI Chief Executive Officer Denis Roy in the statement.
The heater-cooler systems may have been contaminated by the Mycobacterium chimaera bacterium during their manufacturing in Germany, the statement explained, adding that the systems are used in hospitals throughout North America and Europe.
This common bacterium rarely causes adverse effects, unless someone was exposed to it during surgery. In that case, the patient could develop symptoms even months or years after surgery. The effects could include serious infection.
All the devices in question have been replaced.
“To date, two patients of the Institute, out of the 8458 patients who have undergone surgery since 2012, have been diagnosed with such an infection. They are being taken care of and their treatment is underway," said Roy.
For more information, call:514-593-2505 or 1-844-593-2505 Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
